Rating: 
Summary: Rings of the Truth
Review: I have read many books about the Royal family this has to be one of the best. The choices of Paul Burrell may leave us plain mortals shocked at his devotion however nothing rings with more honesty than the devistated life and shattered world of this man. The Royal Family have long outlived their time.The "hidden dark secrets not mentioned in this book" MUST have the Royals wobbling in their crowns. Jolly Good Read Mr Burrell
Rating:
Summary: Very good. A true insider's look at her life.
Review: The butler knows her life very well, and, according to his book, was one of Princess Di's closest friends. She confided in him, and let him read her private letters and even listen in on phone calls. He also offers an interesting inside view of life inside the Queen's Palace and Prince Charles' Highgrove estate, both of which he worked at.
Rating:
Summary: Much was learned from the PERFECT SERVANT: Paul Burrell.
Review: Ooh, I've read lots about the world's most beloved princess, Princess Diana, but this book tells some of the most intimate secrets shared by the Princess and her butler, Paul Burrell. Actually, the butler was much MORE than a mere servant. He was her rock and yet he had no life of his own. He was addicted to her beauty and grace, and became in many ways a loving husband to Di, when her real husband turned out to be a jerk. He was also a loving brother, when her real brother let her down numerous times. He was her nurse, her shrink, her caretaker; all while being able to brew a mean pot of coffee!
There are many secrets left untold; this is repeated throughout the book, and Princess Di had many suitors that remain secret.
She lived a life full of all the material things that any woman could dream of---yet, she was destitute for love and belonging. Di was very generous with the ordinary folks who toiled day in and day out for her... she knew how to write lovely thank you notes and was a prolific writer.
She also could be cruel to people, Paul admits --- and gives specifics, but her cruelty was nothing in comparison to the rest of the Royal Family.
I am still wondering why Prince Charles cast her out like yesterdays newspaper, and took up lustful residence inside the walls of Camilla Parker-Bowles love nest?
Di's walls have to be lovelier than Camilla's old things!
There is no story behind his obsession with that ugly woman, and I hope they never marry.Princess Diana was spiritually and emotionally lost after her divorce became absolute from Prince Chaz, but then a miracle intervened.
She was able to meet a few times with Mother Theresa, and Diana was convinced at that time that MT was a Saint.
MT inspired Diana to do all the good that she could in this harsh and unfeeling world, and she did set out to accomplish humanitarian goals. The world felt her compassion, strength, and love...and we will never forget her kindness.
I still cannot fully believe that this wonderful woman is gone from us....the accident in the Paris Tunnel when the chauffer driven Mercedes crahed into the thirteenth pillar seems like a set-up for murder. It's been 5 years since her passing, and people from all walks of life still mourn the loss of Princess Diana. THe most shocking revelation is the premonition that the princess had of her own death scarcely a year prior to the accident - on page 326 - Diana spoke of mysterious forces that were planning an, "accident in her car, brake failure and serious head trauma...clearing the path for Charles to remarry."
That took great courage to publish....I hope an investigation is done by American investigators....not the Brits who seem to have played some part in it.
The clincher of the book is contained in the back pages....how the Spencer family attacked Mr Burrell and accused him of stealing personal items from both Diana and Prince William, which were absolute lies and shenanigans on their part.
This poor man was driven to insanity because of their persecution of him, and he came very close to commiting suicide one night. A caring soul found him and his life was saved.
He was ultimately 'forgiven' by the Queen, but I don't think he got any of the gifts that Princess Diana bestowed upon him during her lifetime. All those 315 items (gifts) are still in the custody of the M15, or Scotland Yard, or perhaps the Corgis have possession of them and are chewing them all to bits. Diana gifted him with many nice items and now he's lost them all, including some sensitive tapes involving her love life and this and that and such.
It's a tragic story in the tragic life of Princess Diana, and I am left to wonder how this is even remotely acceptable to Prince Charles, and the Queen herself.
Paul Burrell gave 1000% of himself to the service of those bugger Royals and they just gave him grief.
If there was ever a book that tells what the Royal Family is really like down deep inside thier evil, selfish and blackened hearts, oooh -- this one tells the tale and spins it like no other book on the topic of the Royal Family.
I really detest the concept of a "Royal" blood line, with even deeper contempt than ever since I finished reading this fine book. It required the strenth of steel to write and I am very happy that Butler Paul Burrell had the fortitude and the sheer guts to make the effor to preserve the truth about life in the Kensington Palace with Princess Diana. She was more important to him than his own wife and sons, but they were good with this truth. They understood because they loved her too.
Read this book --- it's mesmerizing --- it's spellbinding...I promise you there are things in there that you have not contemplated or heard before....the real story begins on page 287, which happens to be Chapter 13.
Follow it to the bitter end on page 406 ---Thank you, Mr. Paul Burrell, for being a tower of strength to this beautiful woman that the world will keep in their hearts forever.
Rating:
Summary: A cut above the typical "royal books"
Review: This book is so well done. It actually has something to say. It actually has heart and soul. It doesn't pander tothe royals, but it also doesn't drag them through the mud. It is balanced and seems to have come from a place of personal ethics in terms of how it was written and what topics it covers. Mr. Burrell's absolute passion for the queen and the monarcy, not to mention Diana, is obvious, as is his respect for the royals. Layered into the story is information about how his own family life with his wife and sons fit into and was affected by his almost 24/7 work in various palaces. This is an interesting, intriguing, inside look at the life of an obviously loyal and loving member of the royals' staff. Unlike some frankly bitchy books about the royals, my hands did NOT feel dirty when I put this book down. Far from it. I felt uplifted.
Rating:
Summary: What a beautiful tribute!
Review: The royal family ought to thank Paul Burrell for his loving kindness in this memoir of the princess and for his loyal service to all of them. If he hadn't been a gentleman, he could have ripped them up one side and down the other. While Paul was sustaining the princess, I think he was getting his strength from his lovely wife, Maria Burrell. Now I'd like to hear her story!
Rating:
Summary: I could hardly put it down!
Review: This may well be the definitive biography of Diana, Princess of Wales. Paul Burrell has reason to resent the Royal family for putting him through the trial, but instead he shows us their human side. I was enthralled when I read Di's letter after the divorce in which she said she wanted to hug her mother-in-law and when I read Prince Philip's letter signed "Pa". I am sorry that the young princes have spoken out against this book; it tells the truth and does not reflect negatively on any of the Royals.
Rating:
Summary: Paul Burrell Tells It Like It Is!
Review: I couldn't put this book down once I began reading. Paul Burrell captures the essence of Princess Diana. He doesn't attempt to portray her as a saint; rather a human being like anyone else. I believe he wrote from the heart. Princess Diana was portrayed like every other person-she wasn't perfect, but somehow Paul Burrell takes these imperfections and makes them seem not so bad. Yes, she had a bit of a temper (who doesn't?), yes, she could be demanding, and yes, she appeared desperate at times. But, Paul Burrell also portrays the Diana that adored her sons more than life itself. He also wrote of her immense generosity and kindness. This is one book I enjoyed reading about the Princess because somehow she became real for me in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: No scandal here, just a pleasant remembrance
Review: Burrell was clearly a devoted man, in love with royalty, and in love, in a sense, with Diana. This lengthy book dwells more on his career and the Sturm und Drang of his inner life than with the Princess, although the glimpses we see of her - filtered through his dual screen of propriety and admiration - reveal a very human, funny, brave, and occasionally very emotional young woman who rose to the challenge of the media onslaught with grace and style, and the occasional meltdown.
I enjoyed the read, did not find it salacious or titillating, and like other reviewers here, wonder what all the fuss is about. I don't think she'd be angry if she read this book. But neither will most readers be riveted. Diana fans will rush out to buy blue black Quink ink and try a couple of new perfumes. Not much other detail is offered, however.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Read
Review: I have always felt that Princess Diana was assassinated
along with Dodi Fayed. I simply can't agree that this was
a drunk driving incident. I believe Mr. Burrell when he
writes the many fascinating details about the Royals and
their day to day life in his book. However I do believe that the Princess was pregnant and was beginning a new stage in her
life and thus was done away with. This book is worth buying
and reading but there isn't any new revelations except the
letter that Diana wrote detailing her fear of a car accident.
I hope Patricia Cornwell writes a non-fiction book based on
her investigation of the car accident.
Rating:
Summary: Kudos to Paul.
Review: This is a lovely tribute to Princess Diana; told with honesty and love. The Royal Family should be proud; (...)!
|
